:// makin' bacon pancakes, that's what we're gonna make

[holdmyhand]

Who: Luna, Guzma, and whoever wants to stop by Islet 2!
What: THERE IS SOME COOKING GOING ON AND IT PROBABLY IS DELICIOUS
When: Around the 21st of September!
Where: ISLET 2, THE ONLY ISLET WITH A WOOD STOVE
Warnings: DELICIOUS FOOD AHEAD, PLEASE USE YOUR OWN DISCRETION

If you happen to be in the area of the second Islet, where a make-shift hut has become the home of two local pokemon trainers, you may find yourself smelling something amazing. Well, amazing if you enjoy fish. With their new wood-burning stove, Luna and Guzma's cooking game has upped itself tremendously. Rather, Guzma's cooking game has upped itself. Luna has gained a rank in firestarting and firekeeping. It's amazing, living together with a guy like Guzma-- mainly because Luna would never have thought it could happen. But here he is, standing around and cooking fish like he's been doing it for years...probably. Not that Luna knows. Guzma's a pretty outstanding mystery to her in the first place. Weird, kind of spooky. Pretty negative. But everyone knows him, so he's not shy. His pokemon adore him, so he can't be all bad.

It doesn't stop both her pups from being on high guard. Luna'd be lying if she said that there weren't times she was on guard herself-- but having someone who knows where you come from is something that she's decided to not take for granted. Someone with enough knowledge and history to ground her and remind her that home exists...

....somewhere.

Islet #2's hut is...pretty organized, but definitely split into two sides. With the addition of the wood burning stove, the two have tried to insulate their abode with a large tarp, though they still lack a proper roof. There are two strangely hung hammocks on opposite sides-- one of them has a very impressive looking tigershark-skin blanket draped across it invitingly. They seem to be hung by an insect's silken threads, and are very secured to what little they could be fastened to on the worn-down parts of the hut.

On a side of the hut, seashells hang of all types and sizes. They're pretty to look at. There's a small pile of them on the floor, along with a bag that says 'L U N A' in worn letters. There's fur on it-- perhaps someone sleeps here?

For now, this temporary home is fine.

Comments

[yallstupid]

[Mickey makes a dash for their house and Guzma...doesn't follow. He grunts and meanders after, dropping Luna on the sand like yesterday's trash. Of course he was joking, though it looks like he got his point across to at least one of them. Good, because that's what he was hoping for. Rounding on the kid, Guzma glowers at her, towering over her like the giant he is.]

I catch you stuck up in a tree again, li'l Skitty...you sleeping there. Got it? Now haul you rear to the stove, I don't want you moving one foot from it while I do the cooking.

[Whether or not Luna listens right away or not, Guzma's going to head to the stove and finish prepping their meal. It'll take another hour or so, but he keeps a hawk's eye on her, and snarls when she even so much as shifts a little. Girl, you are so grounded.]

[yallstupid]

[It really isn't dissimilar to a cat. Golisopod cleans his antennae slowly and carefully - they're what help him smell and sense sound vibrations, after all - and only stops when the small girl approaches him. Guzma snorts again, trying not to laugh. Holy smokes, this is perhaps the most entertaining person he had to explain a pokemon to, and he's actually not at all irritated or exasperated by it. Ren's innocence and childlike wonder makes her incorrect assumptions endearing and funny.]

Golisopod's not a fish, sweetheart, he's a bug. A bug what can swim real good, yeah? In the wild, pokemon like 'im don't live in the water, just close to it.

[Golisopod watches Ren and tilts his head with a curious rumble, leaning forward a bit to see what she's looking for in her bag. Usually, Guzma keeps treats and tasty food in his, so he's a little excited, the feelers on his face wriggling as his mouth hangs open a bit.

It's not a treat, but a flower, and he blinks slowly as she wriggles the flower in front of him. He looks at Guzma, who snickers into his fist, and then reaches out with his large, clawed arm slowly and takes the flower gently from Ren to hold the stem carefully between his long and pointed claws. It's insane, just how gentle he's being, handling the delicate bloom with the utmost care. It has been said that Golisopod are really just gentle giants, unless threatened, and Guzma's is a true ambassador of his species' calm and placid temperament.

The huge insect looks at the flower a moment or two before tucking it into Ren's hair, close to her ear. It's not right there - human anatomy is peculiar to a pokemon - but he's seen his Trainer do something similar a few times, in his life, for girls and such. It's quite a popular thing to do, actually, in Alola.]

Heh, see that? He likes you.

[catpiper]

[This is how it was, maybe, before everyone died.

Before the angry emotions of the dead became sentient in a way Ren never understood. Maybe before they were corrupted, if they were even there to begin with, they were like this creature. A weird fish bug that places flowers in the hair of whoever stands in front of them. Maybe people were like the guy behind her, urging others to conquer their fears with a steady hand and kind words.

Maybe it was like that and while she'll never know for sure, it offers a glimpse into a world she never thought she would get to see. Lup called her pretty and put flowers in her hair. Goli likes her and did the same. There's a special meaning his actions and it's one she appreciates more than any other gesture. She doesn't move the flower and only reaches up to keep it in place. It'll be there until it dries out and falls to the ground.]

I like-[Goli...sopud? Golispord? Eh.]-your bro too.

[And if this is what Goli does to those he likes, then she's got a few more for him to play with for someone he cares about more than her. She hobbles back to her open bag and pulls out a colorful flower, holding it up to him and shaking it again. Then she adds-]

This is for your family. You can put this one in his hair.

[Does Goli understand?? Will he do it?? Only time will tell and Ren hopes he gets it. Guzma deserves to have hair flowers.]

[shatteredlenses]

There must be a way to change that view without putting them in danger. It's not fair that they have to live in fear or be restricted just because they look different.

[Ignis has no idea how large these balls they live in are, but they can't be that large if Guzma keeps them with him. The pokemon, on the other hand, sound as if they are quite large which means it can't be very pleasant spending so much time in them. Something has to change; it's just figuring out the how that is the hard part. Fortunately, Ignis has a few ideas. Will they work? He's not sure, but he has a feeling that as long as there is a chance, Guzma will likely try.]

Stigmas are hard to break, but it can be done. Just because an animal may be scary to look at doesn't mean they can't be helpful too. We just need to let people see how helpful they can be. Instead of hiding them so much, it may be better to keep them out--only when you are around to keep them safe, of course. Let people see them doing helpful things or even playing. Let them see Ariados making silk to help you with projects. Golisopod...

[Shoot, without a description it's hard to think of something the other pokemon can do and Ignis finds himself falling silent for a few moments as he thinks.]

...can he carry things? Help move things that a human can't maybe? We just need to replace 'scary' as the first thing people think of when they see them. If they think 'helpful' instead, then they will be less prone to foolish violent reactions.

[yallstupid]

[Golisopod seems rather proud of himself, rumbling softly, almost like a purr, and folds his more spindly, thin arms together as he leans down over Ren to look more closely at her and inspect his handiwork. It's hard to tell with all his hard, rough features, but he seems happy she's kept the flower. He even leans far down enough to nudge her shoulder gently with his head, the feelers around his mouth tickling her skin affectionately. Guzma can't help but smile warmly at the two. Never would have thought a sweet thing like this kid would take so fast to his big, brawny pokemon... But, then again, Golisopod was a marshmallow - big guy is terrifying only when he has to be.

But he blinks, face blanching as Guzma looks at Golisopod when he takes the second flower and looks his way with a devilish glint in his eyes, lumbering over towards him with purpose.]

Goli, no. Don't you dare-- [Guzma all but dances away from his pokemon, who gurgles a sound like a laugh, chasing his trainer around their stove, mouth hanging open in a playful grin.] C'mon, man, bug o--hgrk!

[Grabbing at the man's hood, Golisopod yanks Guzma to him with his claws and sticks the flower right into the cloud that is Guzma's hair, like it was growing there all along, and throws his head back to bellow a horrendous laugh, waving his arms wildly as Guzma glowers at him.

BRUH.]

[catpiper]

[It's funny.

And Ren can't remember the last time she thought of anything as being funny. She remembers having fun-letting herself get caught up in a dream's baseball game and playing with cats. She doesn't remember ever looking at something and feeling the corners of her lips tug up without any other thought behind it. She definitely can't remember having every worry and fear lift away and feeling light as air. The closet she ever came was meeting Seto and having a companion to hold onto, but there was always the ever present worry of being attacked and dying to a disease that should have taken her years ago. And yet, there's nothing for once. A blissful, blank moment where all she can see are the two in front of her and it makes her so happy.

Slapstick comedy is the way to go, apparently. Loonytoons had it right. Because it's too hard to think about anything else when her vision is crowded with flashes of a giant bug chasing someone around a stove with a flower. He seems afraid of it. Like it's going to burn if it touches him and yet, she doesn't worry. It probably won't hurt him. Goli wants to make him prettier. To make him happy, despite how miserable it seems to make this white haired man and-

She laughs. It's quiet and soft and probably unable to be heard over all the other noises occuring during this high speed chase, but it comes out all the same. Golisopod is doing the lord's work, making Guzma into this beautiful island model.

She isn't discouraged by his obvious distaste over this turn of events. It's hard to be, with the creature so happy off to the side. It's almost like a game and recalls one fondly, in that moment.]

That's how you say 'you're it'. Your bro did a good job.

[And just like that, this has shifted from a gift giving session to an afternoon game. Since he's 'it' that means one thing and one thing only-it's his turn to join in on this flower fiesta. There's another flower in her hand, indicating there may be no end and there's a strong chance the area by the manapool is going to need time to recover from all her environmental destruction. Oh well. She wanders over to the newly crowned flower boy and gives him one.]

Now you tag someone. That's how you play.

[Since Goli and this guy started it, she's more than happy to explain the rules of a game she knows nothing about. Surely there were flowers in the original version of tag?? Whatever, it's close enough. He should've just accepted his flower fate and none of this would've happened.]

[yallstupid]

[In all fairness, most pokemon enjoy being in their pokeballs - the contraptions are designed with comfort in mind for the critters, on top of being nearly indestructible to keep them safe. While Guzma's homeworld isn't necessarily dangerous, accidents happen...and wild pokeon can and will harm people who aren't careful. A weak or untrained pokemon is best kept inside its pokeball.

But yes, it's also restricting. When he can, Guzma really prefers to let them out to enjoy the air and the sunshine and get in some exercise. He still needs to train them, too, and training isn't simply battling and practicing moves. It's about staying fit as well, and just general care.]

Oh yeah, he can carry loads more'n even me. Golisopod's real strong - probably good at woodcutting, too, considering his claws. Actually, one hard whack with 'em could smash a few rocks I'd think. Nothing too big, but yeah...he's got a lotta muscle. [Guzma hums thoughtfully, scratching his chin.] Does wonders with fishing, too. Helped me catch this load here, actually...and he big 'nuff to ferry one adult and maybe a kid 'round in the water.

[yallstupid]

[It's true they don't hear it, because after a moment or two of Guzma sizing up his pokemon, they begin to immediately roughhouse - exactly like siblings would. Guzma catches his pokemon in a headlock and Golisopod immediately begins to push at his trainer with the curved edges of his shell, to jab him hard enough to shake him loose. It's obviously they've wrestled like this before, and it's all fun and games, because the two have huge, stupid grins on their faces, even as Guzma spits threats at his pokemon between the massive pokemon's growls and bellows.

They pause, however, when Ren comes over, careful not to let her get caught up in their horsing around. These two are rough and rowdy and they know it, especially when paired together, and a delicate thing like Ren should be handled with grace and gentleness. They can both agree on that, absolutely.]

Huh? It--oh! [Oh, wow... He hasn't played tag in how many years now? Lord, it's probably over a decade - probably ever since he ran away, maybe before that... He simply had so many more things to worry about than actually being a child. Tournaments, training, studying moves and damage calculations... Worrying about his loss, disgrace, and how hard he'd be struck for the former two. Then after, into adulthood, he simply lost the carefree whimsy of a child entirely. He hardened himself, became cold, cruel, and bitter - "fun" wasn't a term he used unless he was causing mayhem and destruction somehow.

It seems weird now, to play tag, but Golisopod pushes past him to wobble over towards his newest friend like he didn't have a care in the world. Like no one'd judge this big, terrifying-looking creature for playing and enjoying himself with a dear little friend. Like he didn't waste his youth entirely.]

Tch...y'all are killing my image. I can't believe what you making me do. [Guzma huffs, shaking his head.] ...Y'got 'til I count to ten.

[And on 'ten' (or maybe nine, we didn't say he wouldn't cheat), he'll race after Ren to try and catch her first.]

[shatteredlenses]

Oh goodness, he's just as useful as Ariados is then! Perhaps this will sound harsh, but they are probably more useful when it comes to survival than many of us are.

[When it comes to physical labor, they are certainly more useful than Ignis is at the very least. Fortunately, being blind hasn't taken away his ability to plan and so he continues to do so, melding previous thoughts with new information.]

Would you mind if I spread word that you and they would be willing to help with building projects? Even if you don't get many takers, it will help get word of their usefulness out to others. Perhaps I could even have them do a few things for me so I can give examples of their skill?

[yallstupid]

Haha! Well, pokemon are wild 'fore they caught, yeah? Y'can't shake out that sorta instinct from 'em, no matter how hard y'all try. Suppose that'd be why a heap of 'em won't listen to a weak trainer, unless they prove themselves.

[Really, pokemon are very difficult to train sometimes - they're living creatures with wills and minds of their own. Each one has its own personality and does what it wants - they can feel abandonment, sadness, everything a human feels. They can also resent those that treat them unfairly or unkindly. A pokemon is only as good as its trainer - that's a lesson he learned when he was a child, from the island kahuna, and he took that lesson to heart.]

Man, I'd love for you to do that - saves me a heap of trouble getting people to feel comfortable near 'em. Won't let my partners work for free though, 'course. [He shrugs. Sorry, but give and take is still as normal here as it is in every world. Nothing is free, though he may do a few small jobs without compensation, especially for those he likes. Speaking of--] But a job for you is on the house, homie, I think y'all earned it after what you doing for me and my pokemon.

Just gimme a heads up on what y'all need, and when, and I'll shoot over, yeah?

[catpiper]

[It's unexpected to have him go along so willingly with the game. This guy drops everything in the same way the two elves had immediately packed up their belongings to go play hide and seek in the jungle. She thinks it's-

Because they're nice. Because it's fun. Because things are different here and running and hiding can be games instead of ways to survive. She doesn't need to sit behind rocks and hold her breath so crying apparitions can't hear her. She doesn't need to speedrun through the sewer to avoid being burned by creatures who managed to create fire from all the hatred in their hearts. All she has to do is avoid a kind man who makes fish and help her new friend win. There's nothing dangerous about it.

With Goli by her side, she whispers her childish plan to him. 'You have to run very fast-' is what she says, excitement pouring out of every word '-so he can't catch you. That's how you play'

five

And she reaches out for Goli's little claw paw hand, as if he doesn't have a clue about how to manage, and points in the direction he should run. She has to prime him on the tips and tricks of the game in the few seconds remaining.

'You should run this way-I'll run that way.'

eight

Which is what they used to say, she thinks. Did she play tag with the other children? Or was it a memory from a book she couldn't remember the title to?

nine

Regardless, it's a chance for her now and she knows there's one last number that's supposed to follow, but this guy is already running towards her. Elated would be the best way to describe her reaction. It's not cheating if the fun starts sooner-he must be looking forward to it, in the same way she is.

And the best part about living in a post-apocalyptic world where everything is out to kill you, you get pretty good at running. If there was an island track team, she would be recruited in a heartbeat. She gives Goli a light pat on his claw paw and bolts to the left, like there's a ghost on her tail.

Her eyes remain focused on whatever Goli's doing, to see if he needs more tag advice, but she's listening for Guzma as she runs. The sound of his pounding feet and whatever other noises he's making to figure out which direction to turn, twist and head towards.

Good luck Guzma.]

[holdmyhand]

[ Mickey is gone, and she can't help but laugh a little at his eagerness to beat Guzma to the saw-- though she's not sure if it's a good or bad thing. His little black ears vanish into the abode, and without warning, Luna is let go.

She falls and hits the ground with a wince, lifting her body up to rub her poor little butt!!! What a rude person!!! She glowers up at him while he speaks. Sorry, Guzma, but the fact that you care is being lost on her just a bit. ]

Y'didn't have to drop me...ow. I'm not climbing a tree again, anyway!

[ she picks up the leaf that was pulled from the tree. Stares at it bitterly for a moment, and then turns it over. It really is a good leaf-- good for putting things on, and it bends pretty easy without breaking. A soft sigh escapes her lips. No, no time to be droopy over the lack of enthusiasm from Guzma on this amazingly well shaped leaf-plate.

Luna brings it with her when she moves to go sit near the stove. He's watching like a hawk, and she can feel that dooming gaze on her occasionally, inbetween him looking at the pot and then back at her. ]